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Welcome to Fintech Fridays! The Fintech Times new weekly roundup serves up something for the weekend – a shopping list of the latest deals, product launches and service updates.
Dogs Trust partners with fintech Currensea
Dogs Trust, one of the UK’s largest animal welfare charities, has launched a debit card in partnership with Currensea. It lets supporters donate to charity whenever they spend in the UK or abroad.
It is the latest charity partner to offer branded cards through Currensea’s ‘powered by’ programme which allows charities to increase supporter engagement and boost donations.
Powered by open banking, the new Dogs Trust by Currensea card enables donations by rounding up spending to the nearest 50p or £1 in the UK, and also when spending abroad.
Owen Sharp, CEO at Dogs Trust, said: “Through the new Dogs Trust by Currensea card, our supporters have the option to easily donate by rounding up their spending, without having the pressure of a regular contribution.”
Zenus Bank launches global Visa card
Digital bank Zenus Bank has launched a Visa Infinite Debit Card to a global audience. Clients can make purchases in over 80 million merchant locations in 200 countries.
The Visa Infinite card is usually available as a credit card, but Zenus offers it as a debit card. People in over 46 countries can apply remotely for a true US bank account online, be issued with a virtual Visa Infinite debit card and also receive a physical card in under 10 days.
The SmartMetal physical card features a metal core with a Zenus branding etched into it. It serves up a noticeable ‘thud’ when landed on a restaurant table and weighs 13.5 grams.
UNest offers expectant parents investment and savings accounts
Fintech UNest has launched accounts for expectant parents following a successful pilot program.
The account option for expectant parents does not require a child to have a Social Security number, so parents can start saving, investing as well as accepting gifts from family or friends.
Additionally, UNest offers a $25 signup bonus to all expectant parents who open an account with the promo code FUTURECHILD25 throughout March.
“UNest accounts provide an option for friends and family to give a meaningful gift that could transform a baby’s future and the peace of mind for parents to know they have taken important steps to save and invest for their child,” said Ksenia Yudina, CEO and founder of UNest.
The UNest parents-to-be UGMA/UTMA account enables both saving and investing features from $5 a month in recurring deposits. Parents have the option to invest in traditional ETFs as well as green funds.
Klarna Kosma partners with Buddy to enable automatic budget tracking
Budgeting app Buddy has teamed up with Klarna Kosma, Klarna‘s platform for banks, fintechs and innovative retailers, so its users can connect their bank to automatically and seamlessly track expenses.
Buddy’s partnership with Klarna Kosma means customers can check their account balance in real-time, monitor spending as well as set up payment reminders from the Buddy app.
Wilko Klaassen, VP for open banking at Klarna Kosma, said: “With Kosma’s help, Buddy could create a more smooth consumer experience, resulting in 52 per cent more monthly active users for the personal finance management app.”
Klarna Kosma provides apps such as Buddy with simple and secure access to 15,000 banks in 27 countries around the world through a single API.
Zodia Custody increases coin coverage
Zodia Custody has increased its coverage for the safekeeping and settlement services of crypto assets to a total of 38 coins and tokens, based on institutional investor customer demand.
The integration of new coins and tokens will help further expand the opportunities available to institutional investors to participate in the digital asset markets through Zodia Custody’s fully FCA-registered crypto asset custody services.
The institutional crypto asset servicing company’s expanded coverage now sees the custodian able to provide safekeeping and settlement services for nine native coins alongside a further 29 tokens aligned with the Ethereum Request for Comment 20 (ERC-20) standard.
Lending platform Zirtue announces product expansion
Zirtue, the relationship-based lending app, has expanded its product to include Repayment Request for those with an existing loan with a friend or family member that may have put a strain on relationships.
Lenders and borrowers can move pre-existing non-digital loans to Zirtue, and its technology platform will manage the loan, helping to preserve relationships while prioritising accountability.
Dennis Cail, CEO and co-founder of Zirtue, said: “We know that money and relationships don’t always mix, and it can be uncomfortable asking for financial help or lending money to someone you care about.
“At Zirtue, we’re ensuring that borrowers feel comfortable asking for help and lenders have the transparency and security they need to extend a hand-up instead of a hand-out, all while maintaining their relationships.”
Namshi partners with Tabby to offer flexible payments
Namshi, a MENA online fashion and beauty destination, has joined forces with Tabby, the shopping and financial services app.
Shoppers at Namshi can now choose to pay for purchases in four interest-free installments at checkout.
The partnership is part of Namshi’s ongoing commitment to providing its customers with a seamless shopping experience. It also reflects Namshi’s goal of providing users with more payment options that are both flexible and user-friendly.
Namshi users can benefit from Tabby’s services once they update their app to its latest version available on the App Store and Google Play.
Binance supports more African currencies
Cryptocurrency infrastructure provider Binance has added support for more African currencies including the Liberian Dollar (LRD), Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL), Gambian Dalasi (GMD), Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRO) & Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE).
This enable users in these regions to make direct cryptocurrency transactions with other users in their preferred payment method, local currency and price without needing a third party or intermediary.
Users are now able to trade and post trade advertisements in LRD, SLL, GMD, MRO and CVE, or directly trade BTC, USDT, ETH, BNB and BUSD with other users using these fiat currencies at zero fees.
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